Allied health

Allied health professionals play a critical role in helping people to lead healthier lives. Already the second-largest clinical workforce in Australia, the demand for allied healthcare over the next decade is expected to continue to grow, especially in rural areas.

Allied Health in Primary Care Engagement Framework

Building on Australia’s Primary Health Care 10 Year Plan 2022-2032, a national framework has been developed and provides a roadmap to strengthen the collaboration between PHNs and the allied health sector. Its main goal is to encourage a consistent, efficient and effective approach to the engagement and integration of allied health services into primary healthcare and improve health outcomes for people. Read the Allied Health in Primary Care Engagement Framework.

Key priority areas of the framework

1. Nationally-led collaboration: Strengthen shared leadership and coordination between PHNs and allied health, including engagement with national bodies and forums.
2. Governance and culture: Enhance allied health participation in decision-making, promoting cultural competence, and embedding allied health in PHN governance structures.
3. Practice engagement: Support allied health professionals through communication, education and tailored practice support.
4. Data quality and digital maturity: Improve the use of digital health tools, data collection and quality improvement to support integrated care.
5. Workforce and access: Address workforce shortages, improving access to allied health services, and supporting workforce development.
6. Integration, models of care and funding: Promote new models of care, integrated service delivery, and funding arrangements that support multidisciplinary teams and reduce reliance on GP-only models.

Tools and resources

Contact

For general enquiries, contact Ashay Mudholkar, Murray PHN Program Lead – Allied Health Primary Care Engagement: amudholkar@murrayphn.org.au